Government

Geriatric Hospital Site To Be Future Home Of Conference Centre

Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley has announced that a conference and convention centre will be constructed at Beckles Road, St. Michael, when the Geriatric Hospital is relocated to the new site at Waterford.

Ms. Mottley disclosed those plans while delivering the feature address at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Afreximbank African Trade Centre at Jemmotts Lane. St. Michael.

Ms. Mottley said the site will be developed under a public/private partnership arrangement, as she stressed the urgency of a larger dedicated facility to host major conferences.

“For a country that has a mature tourism product like Barbados does, for us not to have a dedicated conference and convention centre is a travesty. For us to have used a building outside of the tourism belt for the better part of the last 30 years, as that location is to undermine our own opportunities for the development of this country as truly a hub for tourists, for commerce, and for conventions.

“Therefore, we have agreed that when the Geriatric Hospital moves to its new location in the wonderful National Botanical Gardens that we shall use that site there to create the opportunity for a convention centre,” she stated. (PR/GIS)

Government

SPECIAL POLLING DAY NOTICE

Government

Offence To Sell Liquor In St. James North On By-Election Day

The public is advised that on Wednesday, May 21, the day of the by-election in St. James North, it is an offence to sell, offer, expose for sale or give away any intoxicating liquor at any premises in that constituency to which a licence has been issued under the Liquor License Act Cap 182.

In addition, persons are reminded that it is an offence to supply intoxicating liquor to any person on the premises of a club at any time between the opening and closing of the poll.

For more information on the Election Day Regulations, persons should call the Electoral and Boundaries Commission at 535-4800. (PR/GIS)

Government

Employees Must Be Allowed Reasonable Period For Voting

Employers are reminded that on polling day for the by-election in St. James North on Wednesday, May 21, they must allow each elector in their employ who resides in that constituency a reasonable period of not less than one hour for voting.

Employers must not make any deductions from wages, salaries or any other remuneration, or impose upon the elector any penalty due to their absence for the period of voting.

According to the Election Offences and Controversies Act, any employer who directly or indirectly refuses, or by intimidation, undue influence, or in any other way interferes with an elector’s right to vote, is liable on summary conviction to a fine of $500 or to imprisonment for six months.

For more information on Election Offences, members of the public should call the Electoral and Boundaries Commission at 535-4800.